Objective: To determine the effectiveness of oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) using predetermined expiratory pressures on the viscosity and transportability of sputum in patients with bronchiectasis.
Methods: The study involved 15 stable patients with bronchiectasis (7 males; mean age = 53 +/- 16 years), submitted to two consecutive OPEP interventions, with a 24-h interval between the two, using positive expiratory pressures set at 15 cmH2O (P15) and 25 cmH2O (P25). The protocol consisted of a voluntary cough; another voluntary cough 20 min later, designated time zero (T0); a 10-min rest period; and two 10-min series (S1 and S2, using OPEP at P15 and P25 in both), with a 10-min interval between the two. The viscosity and transportability of sputum were evaluated by viscometry, relative transport velocity on frog palate, transport in a simulated cough machine and contact angle. Sputum samples were collected at T0, after S1 and after S2. Specific statistical tests were performed depending on the type of data distribution.
Results: In comparison with the values obtained at T0, sputum viscosity decreased significantly after S1 at P15 and after S2 at P25. There were no significant differences among all of the samples in terms of transportability.
Conclusions: The fact that sputum viscosity decreased whether OPEP was performed at P15 or at P25 suggests that there is no need to generate high expiratory pressure to achieve the desired result.